Annual KCK Halloween party adds more volunteers and activities

Trick-or-treaters visited the Eisenhower Recreation Center on Saturday evening for a safe Halloween party. (Photo by Lou Braswell)
Trick-or-treaters visited the Eisenhower Recreation Center on Saturday evening for a safe Halloween party. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

MultiplyKC turned the Eisenhower Recreation Center gym into a fun activity point for the safe Halloween party Saturday evening. Multiply KC was a partner for the event. (Photo by Lou Braswell)
MultiplyKC turned the Eisenhower Recreation Center gym into a fun activity point for the safe Halloween party Saturday evening. Multiply KC was a partner for the event. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

MultiplyKC turned the Eisenhower Recreation Center gym into a fun activity point for the safe Halloween party Saturday evening. Multiply KC was a partner for the event. (Photo by Lou Braswell)
MultiplyKC turned the Eisenhower Recreation Center gym into a fun activity point for the safe Halloween party Saturday evening. Multiply KC was a partner for the event. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

Kerry Reaves assisted with the safe Halloween party Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center. (Photo by Lou Braswell)
Kerry Reaves assisted with the safe Halloween party Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

Deniese Davis and Chris Linder with North Welborn Group and Leavenworth Road Association helped with the safe Halloween event Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Lou Braswell)
Deniese Davis and Chris Linder with North Welborn Group and Leavenworth Road Association helped with the safe Halloween event Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

Presidential Highfields neighborhood group was staffing a booth at the safe Halloween event Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Lou Braswell)
Presidential Highfields neighborhood group was staffing a booth at the safe Halloween event Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

 Sue Reaves from Christ the King assisted at the safe Halloween event Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

Sue Reaves from Christ the King assisted at the safe Halloween event Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

 MultiplyKC turned the Eisenhower Recreation Center gym into a fun activity point for the safe Halloween party Saturday evening. Multiply KC was a partner for the event. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

MultiplyKC turned the Eisenhower Recreation Center gym into a fun activity point for the safe Halloween party Saturday evening. Multiply KC was a partner for the event. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

Linda Wolford of the West Wyandotte Library staffed a table at the safe Halloween party Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center. (Photo by Lou Braswell)
Linda Wolford of the West Wyandotte Library staffed a table at the safe Halloween party Saturday evening at the Eisenhower Recreation Center. (Photo by Lou Braswell)

by Lou Braswell
Guest columnist

Halloween night at Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd, Kansas City, Kan., was filled with all sizes of trick-or-treaters enjoying the 10 tables set up by different groups with treats to hand out.

The tables were set up in a fog filled room … whoooo, dim lights and volunteers enjoying all the fun.

There were free hot dogs cooked on the grill by a couple of Leavenworth Road Association volunteers.

Then on the other side of the center, MultiplyKC, a new faith group to the area, helped as one of the partners of this effort, turning the gym into an amazing Fun Activity scene with face painting, photo booth, cotton candy, games and more. And oh, did I mention cotton candy?

Unified Government Parks and Recreation, Leavenworth Road Association and MultiplyKC helped the evening become a great turnout for a safe Halloween for children. They are looking forward to at least triple the attendance in 2016.

Other safe Halloween parties were held in recreation centers throughout Kansas City, Kan., on Saturday.

Thanks to Wyandotte Parks for the space, to those that stopped in to be part of the event and to all the volunteers. See you in 2016.

Lou Braswell is the executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association.

Big second half lands McKinstry first KCKCC coaching win

by Alan Hoskins

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s injury-plagued women’s basketball team used a big second half to give Joe McKinstry his first win as head coach Friday.

Leading only 31-29 at halftime, the Lady Blue Devils pulled away for a 69-52 win over Avila University’s JV. At home Saturday against Sterling College’s JV, the Blue Devils are again home Tuesday against Central Methodist at 8 p.m. Tuesday’s game will follow on the heels of a volleyball match between KCKCC and Longview at 6 p.m.

Playing with just eight players because of a rash of injuries, the Blue Devils broke open their opener with aggressive defense that forced 28 Avila turnovers and produced 19 steals. Sophomore Erin Anderson led the way with eight while Valencia Scott added four and Janay Jacobs three.

KCKCC’s most valuable player last year, Anderson also led the way offensively with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Sierra Roberts added 13 points, soph Dave Arrica and freshman Brooklyn Wagler nine each and Kyliea Jarrett eight. Wagler also had six rebounds and Jacobs five.

Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.